







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Don't you think two forks are enough for us? | |
| A one year course? What kind of course is it? | |
| Do you go to the Windmill often? | |
| That's a good question! | |
| The ones at the bottom look fresher. | |
| A flat is not a good idea for Bear, it doesn't have a garden. | |
| Oh my god! It’s almost 12 o’clock. | |
| 5 bedroom detached house on Lyme Street, £2,800, is that right? | |
| But for how many people? | |
| Oh f*ck off, I've got to go now... | |
| Do you want me to call them? | |
| Where is Flora, isn't she here? | |
| You know, she is normally an extremely quiet and calm person. | |
| Okay, I want to have something similar then! | |
| Yes, I have got two sisters. | |
| Are there any fries or any kind of snacks? | |
| Is it the one with the blue tongue? | |
| Yeah, it's normal, he even hisses at my new socks sometimes! | |
| Hey, what happened? Is everything okay? | |
| We don't have that system in Brighton yet. | |